Mechanism for covering leaf-pneumatics.



H. W. STOWE.

- MEOHANISM FOR oovmme LEAF PNEUMATIGS.

APPLICATION FILED 79.20, 1910.

Patented Nov. 1,1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

6 v T1512. 1}; JTn/Eniar- Eli-[1255525 1m: NORRIS Pzrnw cm. wuumarou. n.c.

H. W. STOWE.

MECHANISM FOR COVERING LEAF PNEUMATIOS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 20, 1910.

' Patented Nov. 1, 1910.

2 BHEETB -BHEET 2.

Irv/2212 01 I 67m la /mg 027M HORACE W. STOWE,

0F MERIDEN,

CONNECTICUT.

MECHANISM FOR COVERING LEAF-PNEUMATICS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 1, 1910.

Application filed August 20, 1910. Serial No. 578,201.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HORACE W. Srown, a citizen of the United States,residing at Meriden, in the county of New Haven and State ofConnecticut, have invented a new and useful Mechanism for Covering Leaf-Pneumatics, of which the following is a specification, reference beingmade therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a novel mechanism for facilitating theaccurate and thorough affixment of the flexible fabric, or bellows-foldcoverings, to leaf pneumatics such as are employed as playing pneumaticsin automatic piano-players, player-pianos and other mechanical musicalinstruments; the object of my invention being to provide a convenientand efficient mechanism whereby a strip of flexible fabric can be heldand drawn taut about the glued edges of the pneumatic leaves, the partsof the pneumatic properly gaged and supported to give uniformity of exansion, and the whole firmly clamped an confined to insure close andpermanent setting of the glue.

Another object is to provide a gagin means that can be readily attachedto, an detached from the leaf of the pneumatic for gaging the spread ofthe leaves, and guiding the same into the clamping matrix; and whichwill not interfere with the applying of glue to the edges of the leaves.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein- Figure 1 represents an elevation view, one halfshowing the exterior front, and one half being shown as with the frontboard removed, and with some portions in section, the better to revealinternal construction. Fig. 2 represents a plan view, one part as asection along the under side of the handlever, and the other partshowing the top of the table. (The rearward portion of the supports forthe levers is omitted to save space on the drawing.) Fig. 3 represents avertical section at the line X on Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a verticaltransverse section of the hand-lever and presser devices carriedthereon. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing one of the dragdevices. Fig. 6 is a separate back View of the side clamp. Fig. 7 is aface View (on larger scale) of the gage-block for regulating the formand placement of the pneumatic; the relative size of the latter beingindicated by dottwo sets are of similar construction and arranged inright and left order as a connected pair, and disposed upon a unitarybase or frame, as illustrated. Each set of mechanism is practicallyindependent in its operation and use, and may therefore be made entirelyseparate if desired. The organization of the mechanism at the right handand left hand being substantially the same, a description of one set ofdevices will apply to both or either; hence the corresponding parts,right or left, are designated by the same reference letters or numeralsupon the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, B indicates a supporting frame or body-blockhaving a flat top or table surface 2 and a suitable foot or base A. Saidsupporting body is re cessed at the front to afford space for theworking parts, and a movable front-board F is provided for inclosing themechanism; said front-board being hinged, as at H, or otherwiseconnected in a manner to permit ready access to the working parts forcleaning or other purpose. The front-board is secured to the body at itsupper part by screw-bolts 3, said screw-bolts being preferably provided,for convenient removal, with thumb-heads, as shown on Fig. 2.

The numeral 5 designates a movable plunger or end-seating block ofrectangular form, having its top end covered with an elastic facing, andof a dimension approximately corresponding in width to the end of thepneumatic to be operated upon, while the length of said plunger isslightly greater, or approximately the same as that of the pneumaticleaves.

The plunger is arranged in a rectangular work'receiving space orguide-way 6 within the body B; said space being open at the top to thetable-surface 2. At one side of said space the wall is rovided with anelastic facing strip 4, while at the opposite side there is a chamberwithin which is arranged a movable side-clamping member 7 having anelastic facing strip 8. The elastic facings 4 and 8, which are made ofsemisoft rubber or similar material about oneeighth of an inch, more orless, in thickness, extend down from the opening to a distance aboutequal to the length of the pneumatic P, and together with the end facingof the plunger 5, form a yieldable matrix within which the pneumatic maybe laterally embraced as hereinafter further explained.

The lower end of the plunger is provided with a projecting lug or pin 9,and connected by cord 10 with a weight 12 that runs within a guide-wayrecess 11 in the body, and acts to impart to the plunger a normaltendency to assume an elevated position. The cord passes over a suitablesheave 14 mounted in the upper part of the body, which latter issuitably recessed for accommodating the sheave and cord, as indicated.The partition 13 is slotted to allow the pin 9 to move up and downtherein, the .upper end of said slot forming a stop for arrest ing theplunger when its top end is approximately flush with the table surface.

The side-clamp plate 7 is provided at its back wit-h suitable springs 15for giving forward pressure thereon; and with guiding and limitingdevices; pins or screws 16 for keeping it in proper relation. It is alsofurnished with an outstanding loop 17 attached thereto and disposedwithin a slot or recess in the body B. A rocker-bar or shaft 20 extendsfrom the front through.

said loop and is provided with a cam 19 that engages therewith, wherebythe sideclamp plate can be retracted by turning said rocker-shaft. Theforwardly projecting end of the shaft is formed as a crank or offsethandle for convenient manipulation by the operator.

Along the back of the table surface 2 is an upright flange 22; and abovethe flange I arrange a vertically movable bar 23 having forwardlyprojecting arms 24 on which are mounted yieldable drag-devices 25, whichbear upon the table surface when the bar 23 is depressed. Saiddrag-devices are preferably made best illustrated in Fig. 5, and consistof a short bar or cylindrical member having upwardly projecting prongs26 that are loosely supported and guided in the drag-bar arms 24, whilelight downwardly pressing springs 27 are arranged in connection withsaid prongs for giving yielding pressure to the drag-devices. Pins 28,set in the prongs above the arms, prevent the escape of the drag-devicesfrom their supporter.

The drag-bar is mounted on guide-rods 29 that slide in openings in thebody, and upwardly pressing springs 30 are combined therewith forelevating the bar. A spring latch 31 is provided for holding the dragbardepressed with the dragdevices 25 pressing upon the table surface 2. Thesprings 30 elevate the bar and lift the drag devices from the tablesurface when the latch is released, which is done preparatory to placingthe covering fabric on the table surface.

34 designates a hand-lever fulcrumed upon a rearwardly extending bracket'13 of the body, to swing'up and down over the work-receiving space andplunger 5. Said hand-lever is provided with a suitable handle 33 andwith a latch mechanism for retaining it in depressed position. The latchmechanism is preferably constructed as shown in Fig. 3, with an inclosedswinging latch member 35 pivoted at 36 and having a notch that engages alug or lip 37 onthe front board; a spring 38 that advances said latch;and a latch-retracting handle member 39 that releases the latch when theleverhandle 33 and member 39 are grasped. Upon the under side of thehand-lever, at a position in coinciding alinement with the plunger,there is a downwardly projecting presser device 40 having an elasticfacing 41. (See Fig. 4.) Said presser is connected with the hand-lever,or a guide-block fixed thereon, by limiting screws 42, and is backed byan expanding spring 43 of sufficient power to exert the desired degreeof pressure.

The numeral 45 indicates a gage device, which consists of a wedge-shapedblock provided near its thicker end with a projecting boss 46 having anunder-cut and lip 47 at its lower side, the under-cut approximating thethickness of the pneumaticleaf P, and a projecting stud or end surface48 at a distance from the ,face thereof corresponding to the requiredspread of the pneumatic leaves P P at the position of the air-hole 49 inthe v leaf 1?. The taper of the gage-block is the same as required forthe expanded pneumatic and the lateral width and length of thegage-block is somewhat smaller than that of the pneumatic leaf, asindicated by the dot-and-dash lines on Fig. 7. The straight side of thegage fits against the back of the receiving space for guiding andsupporting the pneumatic while the covering fabric 50 is being affixedthereon.

The operation is as follows: The operator spreads a strip of coveringfabric 50 upon the table surface 2, adjacent to the back flange andacross the matrix opening, then presses down the drag-bar which iscaught by the latch 31 and held with the dragdevices pressing upon thefabric at either side of the matrix mouth. The operator then takes thegage-block 45 and inserts its boss 46 through the air hole 49 in theleaf P and draws it downward so that the lip, 47 locks onto the edge ofthe opening, as in Fig. 8, and the end of the boss impinges against theinner side of the leaf P the two leaves having been previously hingedtogether at 51.

The gage-block and leaves are thus firmly united; then while holding theparts with the thumb and fingers resting on the back of thegage-blocl:,:1nd back of leaf P glue is applied to the edges of theleaves, by passing them in contact with the face of a glue-deliveringroller, or by other means. Then all the edges have received glue, thespread end of the pair of leaves is placed upon the fabric 50 directlyover the plunger 5, and with the back of the gage-block against theflange 22; then by pressure of the finger on the top end of thegage-block the parts are forced downward into the matrix, depressing theplunger 5 and elevating the weight 12, until the lower end of theplunger bottoms or rests against the base A, or some other suitable stopprovided therefor. (See Fig. 3.) As the fabric 50 is drawn in thedrag-devices 25 drag upon its surface giving tension thereon winchcauses the fabric to lie smooth, even and taut upon the edges of theleaves P and P When the plunger has reached its lowest position theoperator, before removing the finger from the end of the gage-block,turns the rocker-shaft 20, permitting the springs 15 to force inward theside clamp 7, firmly clamping thepneumatic edgewise between the elasticfacings 4 and 8, and holding it at that position. The ends of the fabricare then folded in over the hinged end, and the hand-lever 34 is thenswung down and latched, bringing the presser 40 against the end of thepneumatic and producing an endwise pressure thereon between it and theend of the plunger. After the pneumatic has remained in press for asuflicient time, the operator releases and lifts the hand-lever 34 andthrows over the rocker 20 whereby the side-clamp is retracted, and thefinished pneumatic is automatically ejected from the receiving space bythe action of the weight 12, lifting the plunger 5. The gage-block isthen removed from the pneumatic by forcing it endwise sufliciently tounlock the lip 47 from the edge of the opening and withdrawing the bosstherefrom. The gage-block is then ready to be used for anotherpneumatic. The pneumatic in one of the mechanisms is allowed to remainunder pressure while the operation, as above described, is repeated inthe other mechanism, thus alternately working the right and leftmechanisms. The plunger movement is such that when the plunger is at itslowest limit the elastic facing of the plunger stands between the lowerends of the elastic facings 4 and 8, so that the covering fabric 50 ispressed firmly about the corners of the leaves P and P thus producing avery perfect, close and square corner upon the pneumatic.

By the use of my invention the work of covering leaf pneumatics can beperformed with great practical facility and despatch;

and in a superior manner, while giving a product of greater uniformityand excel; lence.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In mechanism for the purpose described, the combination of a recessedbody-block having a top table-surface, and provided with a receivingspace or guide-way leading from said surface, a plunger movable withinsaid. space, and adapted to bottom at the base thereof, means forelevating said plunger, a laterally movable side-clamping plate, meansfor controlling said plate, drag-devices located above the table-surfaceat the right and left of the receiving-space opening, a top-pressingmember, a swinging lever carrying said member, and means for retainingand. releasing said lever, substantially as set forth.

2. A mechanism of the character described, comprising a supporting bodyhaving a table-surface and a work-receiving space opening thereto, aspring-pressed clamp-plate at one side of said space, elastic facings atthe side Wall of the space and on said clamp-plate, means forcontrolling said side clamp-plate, an elastic-faced plunger movable insaid receiving-space, means for automatically elevating said plunger,dragdevices at either side of the opening, means for yieldingly pressingsaid drag-devices toward the table-surface, an overhead handlevercarrying a spring-pressed elastic-faced presser in alinement with saidplunger, and means for locking said lever at depressed position.

3. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination with therecessed supporting-body having the work-receiving space; of theside-clamping plate, guiding and limiting devices therefor, anoutstanding loop attached to said plate, forwardly pressing springsacting against the back of the plate, a rocker-shaft having a cam thatengages said loop, and means for manipulating said rocker-shaft forcontrolling the side-clamping plate.

4. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with thebody-block having a pressing matrix therein, and a table-surface acrossthe mouth of said matrix, movable plunger therein, and means forautomatically elevating said plunger, of spring-pressed dra devicesadjacent to the opening in said tab e-surface, and means for elevatingand depressing said drag-devices.

5. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with thesupporting body having the work-receiving space and side pressing meanstherein, and the table-sun face for supporting the covering fabric; of avertically movable drag-bar having arms projecting over saidtable-surface, drag-devices loosely supported in said arms, pressuresprings for said drag-device, guide-rods and elevating springs forsupporting said drag-bar, and a latch-device for retaining the drag-barat depressed position.

6. In a mechanism for the purpose specified, a gage-blockfor supportingand guiding the pneumatic leaves, said gage-block provided with aprojecting member having an under-cut and lip for insertion through theair-hole of the leaf and locking upon the edge thereof, and its endprojecting against the opposite leaf for gaging the spread of the leavesin relation to each other.

7. In combination With means for inclosing and pressing a leafpneumatic, including a supporting body having a rectangular matrix spacetherein With a straight back Wall, a side-clamping plate and semielastic facings that contact With edges of the pneumatic; a taperedgage-block of smaller area than the pneumatic leaf, and

provided With an under-cut projecting boss that engages With theinterior of the pneumatic, the outer face of said gage-block beingadapted to guide and rest against the straight back Wall of the matrixspace.

8. In a mechanism of the character described, the combination, of thebody-block recessed at its front, the reciprocating plunger, itscounterweight, the connecting cord, guide-sheave, and side-clampingdevices arranged Within said recesses, the removable front-board forminga closure for said recesses, and the binding screws for retaining saidfront-board firmly in connection With the body-block.

Witness my hand this 16th day of August,

HORACE IV. STOWE. Witnesses:

FRED. E. BEMIS, STANLEY B. WHITE.

